NNU granted associate membership by theological accrediting body

President David Alexander is pleased to announce that the University was admitted as an associate member of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).  ATS is a membership organization of 250 graduate schools in the United States and Canada that educate men and women for the practice of ministry and for teaching and research in the theological disciplines. Its Commission on Accrediting certifies institutions and approves the degree programs offered by member schools.

“For NNU’s School of Theology and Christian Ministries to receive associate membership in The Association of Theological Schools is a validation of our offerings in graduate-level theology as well as the institution’s move over a decade ago from college to university,” said President Alexander.

Associate membership opens the door for the University to enter into broader conversations with peer graduate schools of theology and seminaries throughout North America. NNU was the first Nazarene institution of higher education to receive institutional accreditation, and now enjoys the first fully online program to be granted associate membership by ATS.  The University currently enrolls 150 students in its seven online-degree tracks for Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degrees.

“This is an historic move,” said Dr. Mark Maddix, dean of NNU’s School of Theology & Christian Ministries. “Associate membership with ATS is an important step in the University’s future and for the next generation of graduate theological education.”

For more information about NNU’s fully online Master of Divinity and Master of Arts programs in Christian education, missional leadership, pastoral ministry and spiritual formation, go to www.nnu.edu/online.